Stacking box or tray



' Nov. 29,1949. F. J. ULLRICH 2,489,470

STACKING BOX 0R TRAY Filed Oct. 3, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

5 2 .0 V4A /cw 50 i If BY Patented Nov. 29, 1949 U N 1 TE D .ISTATES iPA TE N T F F I C E Fred J.

Ullrich, Kalamazoo, :Michz, 'assigno'r to Lee A. Fordon, Detroit, Mich.

' Application October .3, 1946;SetialNo. 700;967

' 1 This invention relates to improvements in stacking boxes ortrays.

. The main obj ects'of this invention are: I First,- to provide a-stacking box or tray which maybe formed of sheetmetalstock or sheet fibre-p board stock in which the 'walls are formed by a single sheet and atthesame "time provides a structure'which is-very str0ng and rigid.

Second,-'to provide a stacking and nesting box having *few" parts entering into the structure thereof which is adapted for a'wide variety of uses.

Third, to provide astackin'gbox having these advantages which maybe-veryeconomically produced. I

I Objects relating to -details and economies of the invention will appear-from the description to follow. The invention-is defined and pointed out in the claims.

-Preierred embodiments of "the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

'- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a stacking'box embodying the invention with the stacking hails Fig. lls-an enlarged fragmentary perspective" view of a-modified form-'orembodiment-of the invention.

' Fig; 5 is an enlarged f-ragmentary"perspective' view of the form-of the invention shown'in Fig. 4

sectioned-on a line that would correspondto line" 5--5of Fig. 4.

Fig. '6 is a fragmentary perspective'view partially in vertical section of still another modificationor embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFig. 1, the bottom [,sidewalls 2, 2 and end walls 3, 3 are formed-of an integral blank of bendable sheet stock, the end'walls being provided withflanges 4 lapped upon the inner side andriveted to the endsofthe-sidewalls.

It will be understood that I use the terms side and end walls in the specification and in the'claims as matters of convenience in designating parts and not -in-regard to-dimensions.

Iprovide a top frame designated generally by the numeral 5 and-comprising-side members 6 and end members I, this fram-beingform'ed integrally of rod stock or the member's-being integr'ally joined.

The upperedges 8 of the :side andend walls are folded outwardly over the corresponding-top framemember'stoclosely embrace the same as shown at 9 and the downwardly projecting portionor'stripsof fibreb'oard-maybe used. These straps or strips are folded' upon themselvesfthe bights of the" folds being conformed'to provide-bearings I3. The arms or leaves-14 0f the bearing-members are disposed to embrace the down-turned edge or'the flange portions 8 of the end wallsa'nd are'securedthereto and to the end walls by'means of'the rivets I5. 'This provides avery secureconnection for the bearing members and the bearings thereof constitute stacking lugs when-a plurality 'of boxes are nested.

The -stacking 'bails- 'or irons 16 "are I provided with arms I! having inturned pintles l8 at'their endsengaging 'the'pintle bearings. The horizontal'reach l9 "of'the' stacking bail is preferably downwardly offset so as to support a superimposedboxwithin the upper edge of the lower box. The end'walls are cutaway at 20'to expose portions 2| 'of the top frame to provide handholds. When'' the stacking bails are collapsed they are suspended at the ends of the end walls. The inner ends of the pintle bearings are turned inwardly to provide stops 22.

"-In the emb'odimentof theinvention shown' in Fig} 4. the end'walls have'vertical slits '23 therein spaced from their ends, portions 24 of 'the'end walls being turned outwardly and downwardly and conformed to provide pintle bearingsZSQT he' rivets 26' throughthese downturned portions beand conformedto provide the pintle bearing and stacking "lugs 29 "more pronounced or extended than in the other'embodiments, this being desirablewhere the boxeshave a greater taper. *In this embodiment, the arms 30 0f the'ibearing members embrace the sidewalls .at'thedower edges:or-op'enings andiare secured by rivets 3|.

=In the embodin1ent shown :in' Fig. 6, the i-pintle I2 are formed 'of strap metal or strips or, for some purposes, str'a'ps bearing members 32 have outwardly offset portions 33 constituting extended stacking lugs and having inturned tongues 34 providing stops for the stacking lug pintles. These stops are of advantage in that they prevent lateral shifting movement of the stacking bails. The bails are always supported so that they may be readily swung to erected position and their arms do not engage the end walls. The arms or leaves 35 of the pintle bearing members 32 are arranged to embrace the downturned flange portions of the end walls and secured thereto and to the end walls by rivets l as is the case with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. The top frame reinforces the upper edges of the side walls and ties them together at the corners, the parts being arranged so that they provide a strong rigid structure even when formed of relatively light sheet stock.

I have illustrated and described the invention in embodiments which are considered highly practical commercially. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent'is:

1. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a top frame of rod stock comprising integrally joined side and end members corresponding to the side and end walls, the upper edges of the side and end walls being folded outwardly and downwardly over and closely embracing corresponding side and end members of said top frame and lapped upon and riveted tov their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constituting reinforcing means for the upper edges of the walls and wall couplings at the corners thereof, pintle bearing members formed of strips of metal folded and conformed at the bights thereof to provide pintle bearings, the arms of said bearing members embracing the said downturned edge portions of the end walls below said top frame and being secured by rivets arranged through the end walls, the arms of the bearing members and the said downturned end wall edge portions, and stackin bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members, said bearing membershavinginturned pintle stop portions at their inner ends.

2. A stacking box comprising side and end Walls of bendable sheet stock, a top frame of rod stock comprising integrally joined side and end members corresponding to the side and end walls, the upper edges of the side and end walls being folded outwardly and downwardly over and closely embracing corresponding side and end members of said top frame and lapped upon and riveted to their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constitutin reinforcing means for the upper edges of the walls and wall couplings at the corners thereof, pintle bearing members formed of strips folded and conformed at the bights thereof to provide pintle bearings, the arms of said bearing members embracing the said down- .top frame and being secured thereto and to the end walls, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

3. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a continuous rectangular top frame comprising side and end members, the

turned edge portions of the end walls below said a upper edges of the side and end walls being folded over corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting reinforcing means for the upper edges of the walls and wall couplings at the corners of the box, pintle bearing members formed of strips folded and conformed at the bights thereof to provide pintle bearings, the arms of said bearing members embracing the down-turned edge portions of the end walls below said top frame and being secured thereto and to .the end walls, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members, said bearing members constituting stackin lugs when the-boxes are nested.

4. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a continuous rectangular top frame comprising side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being folded over correspondin side and end members of said top-frame, the top frame constituting reinforcing means for the upper edges of the walls and wall couplings at the corners of the box, pintle bearing members formed of strips folded and conformed at the bights thereof to provide pintle bearings,

the arms of said bearing members embracing the down-turned edge portions of the end walls below said top frame and being secured thereto and to the end walls, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

5. A downwardly tapered stacking box com prising side and end walls of bendable sheet mate'rial, a top frame comprising connected side and end members secured to their respective walls, pintle bearing members formed of strap stock folded upon itself and conformed at the blght thereof to provide pintle bearings, arms of said bearings members being secured to the end walls with the pintle bearin below the top frame,

and stacking bails provided with arms terminat-1 bight thereof to provide pintle bearings, arms of said bearing members being secured to the end walls with the pintle bearing below the top frame, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engagin said bearing members, said bearing members having inturned portions at their inner ends constituting stops for said pintles.

7. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a continuous rectangular top frame comprising side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being folded over corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting reinforcing means for the upper edges of the walls and wall couplings at the corners thereof, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms embracing portions of the end walls below said top frame and being secured thereto, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

8. A stacking and nesting box comprising side in unturned pintles engaging ::Isaid I i' beariri gmembers.

9. A stacking and nesting box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of said side and end walls being folded over the corresponding side and end members of said top frame and secured to their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the walls, the end walls having vertical slits adjacent the ends thereof, the corner portions defined by the slits being turned outwardly and downwardly to provide pintle bearings, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

10. A stacking and nesting box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of said side and end walls being folded over the corresponding side and end members of said top frame and secured to their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the walls, the end walls having vertical slits adjacent the ends thereof, the corner portions defined by the slits being turned outwardly and downwardly to provide pintle bearings, and stacking bails provided with arms terminating in inturned pintles engaging said bearing members, said bearing members constituting stacking lugs when the boxes are arranged in nested relation.

11. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of said side and end walls being folded over the corresponding side and end members of said top frame and secured to their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the walls, the end walls having flanges at their ends secured to the inner sides of the side Walls, the end walls having corner openings below said top frame, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms embracing the end walls at the bottom edges of said openings and secured to the end walls, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

12. A stacking box comprising side and end walls of bendable sheet stock, a top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of said side and end wallsbeing folded over the corresponding side and end members of said top frame and secured to their respective walls below said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the walls, the end walls having corner openings below said top frame, pintle bearing mem- 6 bsrssl axinazstrapelikezarmssembraeingatrium wallsattheibettomsedg of isaidop'ening'si secured tortherend wallswan istackinge bailssixivide d1: withiannschavingeinturnedipmtles :enga iging said-meaning :members. a

J 313.smsstackiiiggboxapomprising:iaside -and -eiifl walls :oficbelidablersheetsstock alitop "frame som misingzintegisally iconneetediside :and end members, ztheiinppercedgesiof saidisi de and end wiills being: foldededvezrthetcorresponding side' sand ieiid members'sofasaiditopl-frame and secured tiieir Respective: Walls tbelowisaid top fframew ofrthewalls, the'nndiwalls having corner openings below saidetop i frame; :zpintlen'b'earing -.-memseis Y havingmtnapf like:arinslembracing the ends wails at the bottom edges of said openings and secni 'ed to theiefidsv'alls, sai'd 'rbearing members constituting stacking lugs when a plurality of boxes are nested, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

14. A stacking box comprising side and end Walls, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being secured to corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the flanges, the end walls having openings in the upper corners there- I of below said top frame, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms embracing the end walls at the bottom edges of said openings and fixedly secured thereto, the bearing members constituting stacking lugs when a plurality of boxes are nested, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

15. A stacking box comprising side and end walls, a rectangrular top frame comprising in tegrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being secured to corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the flanges, the end walls having openings in the upper corners thereof below said top frame, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms embracing the end walls at the bottom edges of said openings and fixedly secured thereto, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said hearing members.

16. A stacking box comprising side and end walls, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being see cured to corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the walls, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms lapped upon each side of portions of said end walls below said top frame and fixedly secured thereto, the bearing members constituting stacking lugs when a plurality of boxes are nested, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said bearing members.

17. A stacking box comprising side and end walls, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being secured to corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting wall each side of portions of said end walls below said.

v firam'e monstituting wall zcouplings at draconian;

top frame and fixedly secured thereto, and stacking bails .provided with arms having inturned pintles engagingsaid bearing members.

18. A stacking box comprising side and end walls, a rectangular top frame comprising integrally connected side and end members, the upper edges of the side and end walls being secured to corresponding side and end members of said top frame, the top frame constituting wall couplings at the corners of the flanges, pintle bearing members having strap-like arms embracing portionsof end walls below said top frame and fixedly secured thereto, and stacking bails provided with arms having inturned pintles engaging said bearing members, the bearing members having pintle stop portions at their inner ends. I

,f FRED J. ULLRICH.

nammmcms crrnn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,137,759 Johnson May 4, 1915 1,139,536 Klenk May 18, 1915 1,164,364 Kruse Dec. 14, 1915 1,219,969 Lowe Mar. 20, 1917 1,291,693 Behringer Jan. 14, 1919 1,420,992 Erickson June 27, 1922 1,689,217 White Oct. 30, 1928 2,105,179 Best et a1 Jan. 11, 1938 2,241,707 Langel May 13, 1941 

